Overview of Course

Public Speaking introduces students to the analysis, development, and practice of oral presentation. The course takes a student-centered and audience-sensitive approach to the invention, arrangement, and delivery of public messages. This course covers the basic principles for public address and develops competence in the content, organization, and delivery of public speeches. Special emphasis will be given to audience analysis (given the potential global nature of the “audience”) and to the practical and theoretical elements of effective public speaking for the specific purpose of global advocacy. Semester at Sea presents students with unique opportunities to engage with public address through salient political, cultural, and social issues from around the world. The course will also explore active listening, embodiment, technology, and fallacies as they relate to public address.